The Bay St. Louis Police Department, in conjunction with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Cyber Crimes Task Force, on Thursday arrested a Bayside Park resident on a charge of enticement of a child to meet for sexual purposes.
Matthew T. Davis, 25, a resident of Hancock Street, Bayside Park, was arrested, on information obtained last week from another arrest by the Waveland Police Department and the Mississippi Coast Cyber Crimes Task Force.
"Enticement of a child to meet for sexual purposes is a felony in Mississippi, with a bond of $50,000," Bay St. Louis Police Chief Mike De Nardo said.
He wouldn't release further information about the case because "There may be other charges forthcoming as the investigation moves forward in this case."
Hancock County Jail records show Davis is being held on a total $75,000 bond. He was also arrested on a felony charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and also faces misdemeanor contempt of court charges in both Waveland and Bay St. Louis.
The Mississippi Cyber Crimes Task Force is composed of investigators from the Bay St. Louis, Waveland, Wiggins, Biloxi and D'Iberville police departments, as well as the Hancock, Harrison and Stone County sheriffs' offices, in addition to federal agencies along the coast.
Bay St. Louis Detective Sgt. Gary Hudgens is a member of the task force.
"Operations like this are becoming more and more common," De Nardo said. "The Cyber Crimes Task Force gives an advantage to all agencies by having highly-trained investigators working together, specializing in internet related crimes. Internet crime is a very big problem, especially the crimes that affect our children.
"We are seeing a lot of sexual-related cases involving adults and children, girls and boys, in our communities along the Mississippi Gulf Coast; however, it isn't just here – they are really happening all over the country.
"We need the help of parents and guardians – our primary goal is to protect the innocence of our youth."
De Nardo said it's important to be aware of your child's behavior.
"Parents need to be aware of who their children are in contact with on their cell phones, internet, etc. If there is a mood change, or something out of the ordinary that parents notice, they need to contact their local enforcement agency.
"In our county, our department, the sheriff's office and Waveland Police Department, all have officers on the road around the clock, seven days and nights a week. If you see any possible type of criminal activity taking place, you need to immediately call central dispatch at 228-255-9191."